The sound of rain gently tapping against the window filled the room, creating a peaceful rhythm that should have made the night feel comforting. A cold breeze slipped through the air, sending a chill across my skin as I pulled my blanket tighter around myself.
It was the kind of weather I usually loved—soft rain, cool air, and the perfect excuse to stay buried beneath warm blankets.
And yet…
Tonight, an unsettling feeling twisted inside my chest.
No matter how much I tried to ignore it, the strange unease only grew stronger, making my entire body tense beneath the covers. My heart pounded nervously for reasons I couldn't explain.
Then suddenly..A sound came from behind me. I froze.
Slowly, I turned around.
The moment my eyes landed on the figure standing near my window, all the air left my lungs.
A man.
A tall, impossibly handsome man stood there in the shadows, his sharp gaze fixed directly on me.
He wore black trousers and a fitted black shirt beneath a long dark coat draped over his shoulders, making him look dangerously elegant—like someone straight out of a crime film.
My breath caught in my throat.
He smirked, his dark eyes glimmering with amusement "Finally awake~?"
My entire body stiffened at the sound of his voice.
It was deep and smooth, gentle yet teasing, carrying a strange confidence that made it sound as if he belonged here… as if everything around him naturally bent to his will.
Including me.
"W-Who are you?" I whispered, barely managing to force the words out.
Fear trembled through my voice, but I kept it quiet, not wanting to wake my family sleeping downstairs.
The man chuckled softly before taking a slow step closer.
"I am far more than you think, little mouse~"
My fingers gripped the blanket tighter as my heartbeat thundered in my ears.
He stopped at the edge of my bed, towering over me.
"I am your guardian angel," he said, his deep voice lowering into a soft murmur. "The one who has protected you since the day you were born."
My eyes widened.
Guardian angel?..
At once, memories rushed into my mind my grandmother's voice from years ago, telling me stories I had nearly forgotten.
She used to say every member of our bloodline was blessed with a guardian angel, one destined to protect them from birth.
No one knew how the tradition had begun.
It had simply always existed.
And tonight…
Tonight was my eighteenth birthday.
The night I was finally meant to see him.
Realization hit me all at once.
"You…" I whispered breathlessly. "You're really him?"
A soft smile touched his lips as he leaned closer.
"So you remember now, hm?" he murmured. "I've waited so long for this day… for you to finally see me."
I stared up at him, unable to look away.
"S-So it was you…" My voice came out barely above a whisper. "You were the one who saved me when I almost fell from that building as a child?"
His expression softened immediately, warmth flickering in his dark eyes.
"It was me."
He leaned down until his face hovered dangerously close to mine, our breaths mingling in the small space between us.
"And now…" he whispered, his voice brushing over my lips, "I can protect you even better, little mouse."
A violent shiver ran through my body.
"A-And your name?" I asked, my voice shaky.
"Sylus."
The name rolled from his lips like velvet.
He slowly reached up, his large hand brushing against my cheek with surprising gentleness. His touch was warm, soft completely opposite of his intimidating appearance.
"Sylus…" I repeated quietly.
I could hardly believe this was real.
Not only could I finally see my guardian angel…
But he was breathtakingly handsome.
How was I supposed to survive being around someone like this?
My thoughts vanished when both of his hands suddenly cupped my face, his palms nearly covering my entire cheeks.
His gaze softened.
"Do not be afraid anymore," he whispered gently. "I would never hurt you."
Then his eyes darkened slightly, becoming something deeper.
"But you must listen to me like a good girl. Understood?"
My throat instantly went dry.
I stared at him, speechless.
The way he said it..
So calm. So natural.
As if I already belonged to him.
Unable to speak, I slowly nodded.
A satisfied smile curved across his lips.
He leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss against my forehead, treating me with such tenderness that my heart nearly stopped.
Then he pulled back.
"Will you continue staring at me like that?" he teased softly. "I know I'm handsome, but your eyes are becoming quite bold~"
Heat rushed to my face instantly.
"W-What?! I'm not staring at you like that!" I snapped, nearly choking over my own words. "I'm just shocked, okay?! I need time to process all of this! So stay away from me!"
Embarrassed, I quickly turned away from him and buried myself deeper beneath the blanket.
Behind me, I heard him laugh softly.
Then..
The bed dipped.
My entire body froze.
Before I could react, a strong arm wrapped around my waist from behind.
My breath caught sharply.
"Sweet dreams, princess," Sylus whispered against my ear, his deep voice warm and soothing enough to send chills through my entire body.
My heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst.
Never in my life had something like this happened to me before.
And now…
I was lying in bed beside a man as if this were completely normal.
As the rain continued outside and the night grew darker, only one thought repeated endlessly in my mind..
"How was I ever going to survive living with him?"